US7623193B2 - Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7623193B2
US7623193B2 US11/249,278 US24927805A US7623193B2 US 7623193 B2 US7623193 B2 US 7623193B2 US 24927805 A US24927805 A US 24927805A US 7623193 B2 US7623193 B2 US 7623193B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
gate
semiconductor layer
data line
electrode
array panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US11/249,278
Other versions
US20060033102A1 (en
Inventor
Dong-Gyu Kim
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Samsung Display Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/777,506 external-priority patent/US6043511A/en
Application filed by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd filed Critical Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority to US11/249,278 priority Critical patent/US7623193B2/en
Publication of US20060033102A1 publication Critical patent/US20060033102A1/en
Priority to US12/608,844 priority patent/US8023057B2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7623193B2 publication Critical patent/US7623193B2/en
Assigned to SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD. reassignment SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L27/00Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
    • H01L27/02Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components specially adapted for rectifying, oscillating, amplifying or switching and having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier; including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier
    • H01L27/12Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components specially adapted for rectifying, oscillating, amplifying or switching and having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier; including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
    • H01L27/1214Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components specially adapted for rectifying, oscillating, amplifying or switching and having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier; including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body comprising a plurality of TFTs formed on a non-semiconducting substrate, e.g. driving circuits for AMLCDs
    • H01L27/1259Multistep manufacturing methods
    • H01L27/1288Multistep manufacturing methods employing particular masking sequences or specially adapted masks, e.g. half-tone mask
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L27/00Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
    • H01L27/02Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components specially adapted for rectifying, oscillating, amplifying or switching and having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier; including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier
    • H01L27/12Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components specially adapted for rectifying, oscillating, amplifying or switching and having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier; including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
    • H01L27/1214Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components specially adapted for rectifying, oscillating, amplifying or switching and having at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier; including integrated passive circuit elements with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body comprising a plurality of TFTs formed on a non-semiconducting substrate, e.g. driving circuits for AMLCDs
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H01ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01LSEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L29/00Semiconductor devices adapted for rectifying, amplifying, oscillating or switching, or capacitors or resistors with at least one potential-jump barrier or surface barrier, e.g. PN junction depletion layer or carrier concentration layer; Details of semiconductor bodies or of electrodes thereof  ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor
    • H01L29/66Types of semiconductor device ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor
    • H01L29/68Types of semiconductor device ; Multistep manufacturing processes therefor controllable by only the electric current supplied, or only the electric potential applied, to an electrode which does not carry the current to be rectified, amplified or switched
    • H01L29/76Unipolar devices, e.g. field effect transistors
    • H01L29/772Field effect transistors
    • H01L29/78Field effect transistors with field effect produced by an insulated gate
    • H01L29/786Thin film transistors, i.e. transistors with a channel being at least partly a thin film
    • H01L29/78606Thin film transistors, i.e. transistors with a channel being at least partly a thin film with supplementary region or layer in the thin film or in the insulated bulk substrate supporting it for controlling or increasing the safety of the device
    • H01L29/78633Thin film transistors, i.e. transistors with a channel being at least partly a thin film with supplementary region or layer in the thin film or in the insulated bulk substrate supporting it for controlling or increasing the safety of the device with a light shield
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02FOPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/136Liquid crystal cells structurally associated with a semi-conducting layer or substrate, e.g. cells forming part of an integrated circuit
    • G02F1/1362Active matrix addressed cells
    • G02F1/1368Active matrix addressed cells in which the switching element is a three-electrode device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a thin film transistor (TFT) array panel used for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a fabricating method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a TFT array panel through a photolithography process of four steps and a TFT array panel manufactured thereby.
  • TFT thin film transistor
  • a liquid crystal display includes two panels and liquid crystal material injected therebetween.
  • a wiring such as gate lines (not shown) and data lines (not shown), a pixel electrode 70 and a thin film transistor 70 are formed in either panel 100 of two panels.
  • a black matrix 210 , a color filter 220 and a common electrode 240 are formed in the other panel, and an overcoat film 230 is formed between the black matrix 210 and the color filter 220 , and the common electrode 240 .
  • TFT thin film transistor
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a conventional TFT array panel used for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line III-III in FIG. 2 .
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • a gate line 11 and its branch, a gate electrode 12 are formed on a substrate 100 .
  • the gate line 11 and the gate electrode 12 are covered with a gate insulating layer 20 .
  • An amorphous silicon layer 30 and an n + amorphous silicon layer 40 are formed on the gate insulating layer 20 .
  • a pixel electrode 70 separated from the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 is formed on the gate insulating layer 20 .
  • a data line 51 and a source electrode 52 , as well as a drain electrode 53 are formed thereon and the drain electrode 53 is connected to the pixel electrode 70 .
  • a light shielding film 62 is formed over the TFT which includes the amorphous silicon layer 30 , the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 , the gate electrode 12 , and the source and the drain electrodes 12 and 13 .
  • the light shielding film 62 is made in order to prevent the leakage current in the amorphous silicon layer 30 .
  • FIGS. 4A to 4G are plan views illustrating a manufacturing process of the conventional TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • metal such as Cr, Al and Ta is deposited to a thickness of about 200 to 400 nm and patterned to form a gate line 11 and a gate electrode 12 through a photolithograph process using a first mask.
  • an insulating layer 20 of SiNx or SiO 2 is deposited to a thickness of about 300 to 400 nm, and an amorphous silicon layer 30 and an n + amorphous silicon layer 40 are deposited in sequence.
  • the thickness of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is 200 nm and the thickness of the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 is 50 nm.
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 are patterned in the same shape using a second mask.
  • an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer is deposited to a thickness of about 50 nm, and patterned to form a pixel electrode 70 through the photolithograph process using a third mask.
  • ITO indium tin oxide
  • a conductive layer such as Cr, Ta or Ti is deposited to a thickness of about 150 to 300 nm, and patterned to form a data line 51 and a source and a drain electrodes 52 and 53 thorough the photolithography using a fourth mask.
  • the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched to expose the amorphous silicon layer 30 on the gate electrode 12 using the data line 51 and a source and a drain electrodes 52 and 53 as a mask.
  • a passivation layer 61 of SiNx is deposited and patterned.
  • the thickness of the passivation layer 61 is in the range from 200 to 400 ⁇ m, and the portion of the passivation layer 61 on the pixel electrode 70 is removed, using a fifth mask.
  • photoresist is deposited to the thickness of about 0.5 to 3 ⁇ m and patterned to form a light shielding film 62 on the TFT through the photolithography process, using a sixth mask.
  • the conventional method has disadvantages in that the fabrication method is complex and the manufacturing cost is high.
  • an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of photolithography steps, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and improving the productivity.
  • the number of mask is reduced by etching a semiconductor layer, using the patterned film as a mask.
  • a gate line and a gate electrode are formed on a substrate, and a gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer are deposited in sequence.
  • a data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed through a photolithography step, after depositing a metal layer.
  • the passivation film and the light shielding film or a passivation film of opaque material are deposited in sequence and patterned through the photolithography step.
  • the passivation film covers over the data line, the source electrode and a part of the drain electrode.
  • a pixel electrode is formed by depositing transparent conductive material and etching the transparent conductive material through the photolithography step, after etching the semiconductor layer, using the passivation film as the mask.
  • TFT thin film transistor
  • a step for etching only the gate insulating layer for exposing the pad should be omitted.
  • the pattern of the gate insulating layer should be the same as the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer is patterned, using the semiconductor layer as the mask.
  • the portions that the gate insulating layer should cover, that is, the gate line and the gate electrode are covered with the passivation film and the semiconductor layer, and the passivation film on the pad is etched to expose the pad when etching the passivation film.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional liquid crystal display
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a conventional TFT array panel used for an LCD
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line III-III in FIG. 2 ;
  • FIGS. 4A to 4G are plan views illustrating a manufacturing process of the conventional TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 ;
  • FIGS. 7A to 7G are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ;
  • FIGS. 8A to 8G are cross-sectional views cut along the line VIII-VIII in FIGS. 7A to 7G ;
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line X-X in FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XI-XI in FIG. 9 ;
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XII-XII in FIG. 9 ;
  • FIGS. 13A to 13C are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 ;
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14 ;
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14 ;
  • FIGS. 17A to 17C are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 ;
  • FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid crystal display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5 .
  • a gate line 11 is formed horizontally on a substrate 100 , and a branch vertically extended from the gate line 11 , that is, a gate electrode 12 , is formed on the substrate 100 .
  • the gate line 11 and the gate electrode 12 are covered with a gate insulating layer 20 .
  • a semiconductor layer of such as an amorphous silicon layer 30 and a doped semiconductor layer of such as an n + amorphous silicon layer 40 are formed on the gate insulating layer 20 .
  • a data line 51 and a source electrode 52 , as well as a drain electrode 53 are formed thereon in the same shape as the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 .
  • the data line 51 is formed vertically, the branch extended horizontally therefrom, the source electrode 52 overlaps a part of the gate electrode 12 , and the drain electrode 53 is formed symmetrically with the source electrode 53 for the gate electrode 12 .
  • They are all covered with a passivation film 61 and a light shielding film 62 having the same pattern as the passivation film 61 , and a part of the drain electrode 53 is exposed outward the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62 .
  • the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is the same as the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62 except a portion under the drain electrode 53 exposed outward the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62 , and the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 in the portion under the exposed drain electrode 53 is the same as the drain electrode 53 .
  • the pixel electrode 70 is formed on the gate insulating layer 20 exposed outward the passivation film 61 pattern, and connected to the exposed drain electrode 53 .
  • the pixel electrode 70 overlaps the gate line 11 via the gate insulating layer 20 , and this portion functions as a storage capacitor.
  • the light shielding film 62 may be formed under the passivation film 61 , and the passivation film 61 can be formed on the passivation film 61 .
  • a passivation film also having the function of the light shielding film may be formed, using opaque material of such as a black photoresist instead of forming the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62 .
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 is covered with the drain electrode 53 made of the light shielding film 62 or opaque metal, the leakage current in the amorphous silicon layer 30 is reduced.
  • the width of the pattern of the light shielding film is wider than that of the data line 51 , the source and the drain electrodes 52 and 53 , short-circuit between the data line and a common electrode (reference numeral 240 in FIG. 1 ) of a opposite panel (reference numeral 200 in FIG. 1 ) hardly occurs.
  • FIGS. 7A to 7G are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 5 and 6
  • FIGS. 8A to 8G are cross-sectional views cut along the line VIII-VIII in FIGS. 7A to 7G .
  • conductive material such as Cr, Al and Ta is deposited to a thickness of about 200 to 400 nm on a substrate 100 and patterned to form a gate line 11 , a gate electrode 12 through a photolithography step, using a first mask.
  • the conductive material may be formed by a lower layer of Al or an alloy of Al—Nd and an upper layer of Mo, instead of the single layer.
  • the conductive material may be formed by a lower layer of Cr and an upper layer of the alloy of Al—Nd.
  • an gate insulating layer 20 of such as SiNx and SiO 2 is deposited to a thickness of about 300 to 400 nm, and an amorphous silicon layer 30 and an n + amorphous silicon layer 40 are deposited in sequence thereon.
  • the thickness of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is 200 nm and the thickness of the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 is 50 nm.
  • a conductive layer of such as Cr, Ta or Ti is deposited to a thickness of about 150 to 300 nm, and patterned to form a data line 51 , a source electrode 52 and a drain electrode 53 through the photolithography step, using a second mask.
  • the exposed n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched, using the data line 51 , the source electrode 52 and the drain electrode 53 as the mask.
  • the passivation film 61 of such as SiNx is deposited to the thickness of 200 to 400 ⁇ m.
  • photoresist is deposited to a thickness of about 0.5 to 3 ⁇ m, and patterned to form the light shielding film 62 .
  • the passivation film 61 is etched, using the light shielding film 62 as the mask.
  • the data line 51 and the source electrode 52 are covered with the light shielding film 62 and the passivation film 61 , and a part of the drain electrode 53 is exposed.
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 is etched, using the light shielding film 62 and the passivation film 61 and the exposed drain electrode 53 as the mask.
  • the light shielding film 62 may be formed by a conductive material such as Cr.
  • an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer is deposited to a thickness of about 50 nm, and patterned to form a pixel electrode 70 through the photolithography step, using a fourth mask.
  • ITO indium tin oxide
  • the effect of the TFT array panel for an LCD in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention lies in that two masks are reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and also increasing productivity by fabricating the TFT array panel using only four masks, compared to the conventional method.
  • a method for fabricating a panel including a pad using only four masks, and a structure fabricated thereby, are suggested in a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 illustrates also a gate pad and a data pad.
  • the gate insulating layer 20 has the same pattern as the amorphous silicon layer 30 .
  • the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is the same as the passivation film 60 also having the function of the light shielding film except for a portion under the drain electrode 53 exposed outward the passivation film 60 having the light shielding film, and the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 in the portion under the exposed drain electrode 53 is the same as the drain electrode 53 .
  • the gate insulating layer 20 should cover the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13 , the pattern of the passivation film 60 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 is formed on the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13 , except on the data line 51 and the source electrode 52 , and a part of the drain electrode 53 .
  • the passivation film 60 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 have contact holes 14 and 15 on the gate pad 13 and a data pad 54 since the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 are electronically connected to the outside and exposed to the outside.
  • a gate ITO pad 71 and a data ITO pad 72 connected respectively to the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 through the contact holes 14 and 15 are formed to prevent oxidization which occurs when the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 are directly exposed to the outside.
  • the differences between the first and the second preferred embodiments of the present invention lie in that the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13 are formed in two layers respectively, and one layer of the passivation layer 60 of the black photoresist, also having the function of the light shielding film, is added. These layers may be formed in a single layer or in two layers.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line X-X in FIG. 9 .
  • the gate line 11 and the gate electrode 12 are made of respectively lower layers 111 and 121 and upper layers 112 and 122 .
  • the pattern of the gate insulating layer 20 is the same as the amorphous silicon layer 30 .
  • the gate insulating layer 20 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the passivation film 60 cover the gate line 11 of two layers, and a pixel electrode 100 overlaps thereon.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XI-XI in FIG. 9 .
  • the gate pad 13 is formed by a lower layer 131 and an upper layer 132 , and the gate pad 13 is exposed by the contact hole 14 formed on the gate insulating layer 20 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the passivation film 60 .
  • the upper layer 132 of the gate pad 13 is covered with the gate ITO pad 71 .
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XII-XII in FIG. 9 .
  • the gate insulating layer 20 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 on the gate insulating layer 20 , an n + amorphous silicon layer 40 on the amorphous silicon layer 30 , and the data pad 54 on the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 are formed in the same pattern, and are connected to the ITO pad 72 through the contact hole formed in the passivation film 60 which covers the above pattern.
  • FIGS. 13A to 13C are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 .
  • the left portions in FIGS. 13A to 13C correspond to the TFT and the gate line in FIG. 10
  • central portions correspond to the gate pad in FIG. 11
  • the right portions correspond to the data pad in FIG. 12 .
  • two layers of metal are deposited in sequence, and patterned to form the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13 , using a first mask.
  • the lower layer and the upper layer may be formed by AL-Nd and Mo, or Cr and Al—Nd. In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower layer and the upper layer is formed by AL-Nd and Mo.
  • the gate insulating layer 20 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 , the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 and a metal layer 50 are deposited in sequence.
  • the metal layer 50 is patterned to form the data line 51 , the source electrode 52 , the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54 , using a second mask.
  • the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched, using the patterned data line 51 , the source electrode 52 , the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54 as the mask. After that, the passivation film 60 is deposited.
  • the passivation film 60 is patterned, using a third mask.
  • the passivation film 60 covers the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 , the gate pad 13 , the data line 51 , the source electrode 52 , the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54 .
  • the contact holes 14 and 55 are formed on central portions of each pad 103 and 114 , and an upper portion of a part of the drain electrode 53 is removed.
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 are etched in sequence, using the patterned passivation film 60 as the mask.
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 under the drain electrode 53 are not etched.
  • the ITO film is deposited and patterned to form the pixel electrode 70 , the gate ITO pad 71 and the data ITO pad 72 , using a fourth mask, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 , 11 and 12 .
  • the pixel electrode 70 can be defective since the height difference in a portion in which the pixel electrode 70 overlaps the gate line 11 , is large, as illustrated in FIG. 10 .
  • a third preferred embodiment of the present invention suggests a structure which can reduce the height difference in the portion in which the pixel electrode 70 overlaps the gate line 11 .
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14 .
  • the passivation film 60 which is made of opaque material and also serves as the light shielding function covers even the drain electrode 53 completely. Instead, the passivation film 60 has a contact hole 56 exposing the drain electrode 53 , and the pixel electrode 70 contacts the drain electrode 53 through the contact hole 56 .
  • the structure in FIG. 14 has the effects that storage capacitance is formed through the connection portion and the height difference of the pixel electrode 70 is reduced by forming a connection portion made of the same material as the data line 51 , instead that the gate line 11 directly overlaps the pixel electrode 70 . That is, referring to FIG. 15 , the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 and a connection portion 57 are formed, overlapping the gate line 11 on the amorphous silicon layer 30 formed on the gate line 11 . The connection portion 57 is exposed outside the passivation film 60 and connected to the pixel electrode 70 .
  • the passivation film 60 in this portion is formed in the same way as the first and the second preferred embodiments of the present invention, the insulating layer 20 and the amorphous silicon layer 30 under the passivation film 60 are formed a little different from the passivation film 60 since the insulating layer 20 and the amorphous silicon layer 30 are formed even under the connection portion 57 exposed outside the passivation film 60 .
  • the pixel electrode 70 has the height difference from the upper portion of the connection portion 57 to the substrate 100 , and compared to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, this is the reduced height difference, considering that the passivation film 60 is thicker than the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 and the connection portion 57 .
  • the structure of the data pad 54 in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the structure of the gate pad 13 is a little different from that in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present.
  • the structure of the gate pad 13 in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained hereinafter.
  • FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14 .
  • the gate pad 13 are formed by a lower layer 131 and an upper layer 132 , but the gate pad 13 is exposed through a contact hole 55 formed in the passivation film 60 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 , and an upper layer 132 of a portion contacting a gate ITO pad 71 is etched.
  • the lower layer 131 is made of Cr and the upper layer 132 is made of alloy of Al—Nd in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the gate ITO pad should cover the Al or the alloy of Al—Nd since Al or the alloy is easy to be oxidized and rust, but the upper layer 132 is etched since the ITO and the Al alloy do not contact each other well and an oxidation film is formed on a surface, whereby resistance becomes large.
  • FIGS. 17A to 17C a fabrication process of a TFT array panel in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17C .
  • the left portions in FIGS. 17A to 17C correspond to the TFT and the gate line in FIG. 15
  • central portions in FIGS. 17A to 17C correspond to the gate pad in FIG. 16
  • the right portions in FIGS. 17A to 17C correspond to the data pad in FIG. 12 .
  • two layers of metal are deposited in sequence, and patterned to form the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13 , using a first mask.
  • the lower layer and the upper layer is formed by Cr and Al—Nd.
  • the gate insulating layer 20 , the amorphous silicon layer 30 , the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 and a metal layer 50 are deposited in sequence.
  • the metal layer 50 is patterned to form the data line 51 , the source electrode 52 , the drain electrode 53 , the data pad 54 and a connection portion 57 , using a second mask.
  • the n + amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched, using the patterned data line 51 , the source electrode 52 , the drain electrode 53 , the data pad 54 , and the connection portion as the mask. After that, the passivation film 60 is deposited.
  • the passivation film 60 is patterned, using a third mask.
  • the passivation film 60 covers the gate line 11 , the gate electrode 12 , the gate pad 13 , the data line 51 , the source electrode 52 , the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54 .
  • the contact holes 14 , 55 and 56 are formed on central portions of each pad 103 and 114 and the drain electrode 53 , and an upper portion of a part of the connection portion 57 is removed.
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 are etched in sequence, using the patterned passivation film 60 as the mask.
  • the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 under the connection portion 57 are not etched.
  • the upper portion of the exposed gate pad 13 is etched by the contact hole 14 .
  • the ITO film is deposited and patterned to form the pixel electrode 70 , the gate ITO pad 71 and the data ITO pad 72 , using a fourth mask, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 , 16 and 12 .
  • the passivation film 60 also having the function of the light shielding film covers the border of the pixel and the TFT in the second and the third preferred embodiments of the present invention. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 18 , a wiring (not shown), the pixel electrode 70 , the TFT and the passivation film also having the function of the light shielding film are formed in a lower substrate 100 .
  • the light shielding film is not needed in the other substrate, and only a color filter 220 , a common electrode 240 , and an overcoat 230 are formed in the other substrate.
  • the effect of the present invention lies in that manufacturing cost can be reduced and the productivity is improved since the process is reduced to four steps by patterning the light shielding film and the passivation film, which have the same pattern each other, or the passivation film also having the function of the light shielding film, and etching the amorphous silicon layer using the patterned passivation film and the drain electrode exposed outside the passivation film or the connection portion as the mask.

Abstract

An LCD includes an insulating substrate (30) with gate lines (32) and data lines (31) disposed thereon. The gate lines are parallel to each other and extend along a first direction, and the data lines are parallel to each other and extend along a second direction. The data lines cross the gate lines thereby defining a multiplicity of pixel regions (3). Each of the pixel regions includes a TFT (35), a pixel electrode (33) connected to the TFT, a common electrode (36) connected to a corresponding one of the data lines, and a dielectric layer (37) disposed between the common and pixel electrodes. The common electrode includes a plurality of protrusions (34). The protrusions, the dielectric layer, and the pixel electrode cooperatively define a storage capacitor (50) for holding the pixel region at a set voltage level until the next refresh cycle when the TFT is turned off.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation Application of a U. S. patent application Ser. No. 10/692,033 filed on Oct. 23, 2003 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,643, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/156,525, filed Sep. 17, 1998 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,961 on Jan. 27, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/777,506, filed Dec. 30, 1996 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,511 on Mar. 28, 2000, which claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 1995-66713filed on Dec. 29, 1995, which are all hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor (TFT) array panel used for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a fabricating method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a TFT array panel through a photolithography process of four steps and a TFT array panel manufactured thereby.
B. Description of the Conventional Art
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes two panels and liquid crystal material injected therebetween. Referring to FIG. 1, a wiring such as gate lines (not shown) and data lines (not shown), a pixel electrode 70 and a thin film transistor 70 are formed in either panel 100 of two panels. In addition, a black matrix 210, a color filter 220 and a common electrode 240 are formed in the other panel, and an overcoat film 230 is formed between the black matrix 210 and the color filter 220, and the common electrode 240.
Hereinafter, a conventional thin film transistor (TFT) array panel will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a conventional TFT array panel used for a liquid crystal display (LCD) and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line III-III in FIG. 2.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a gate line 11 and its branch, a gate electrode 12, are formed on a substrate 100. The gate line 11 and the gate electrode 12 are covered with a gate insulating layer 20. An amorphous silicon layer 30 and an n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 are formed on the gate insulating layer 20. A pixel electrode 70 separated from the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is formed on the gate insulating layer 20. A data line 51 and a source electrode 52, as well as a drain electrode 53, are formed thereon and the drain electrode 53 is connected to the pixel electrode 70. They are all covered with a passivation layer 61, except the pixel electrode 70. A light shielding film 62 is formed over the TFT which includes the amorphous silicon layer 30, the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40, the gate electrode 12, and the source and the drain electrodes 12 and 13. The light shielding film 62 is made in order to prevent the leakage current in the amorphous silicon layer 30.
FIGS. 4A to 4G are plan views illustrating a manufacturing process of the conventional TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Referring to FIG. 4A, metal such as Cr, Al and Ta is deposited to a thickness of about 200 to 400 nm and patterned to form a gate line 11 and a gate electrode 12 through a photolithograph process using a first mask.
Referring to FIG. 4B, an insulating layer 20 of SiNx or SiO2 is deposited to a thickness of about 300 to 400 nm, and an amorphous silicon layer 30 and an n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 are deposited in sequence. The thickness of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is 200 nm and the thickness of the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is 50 nm. Then, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 are patterned in the same shape using a second mask.
Next, referring to FIG. 4C, an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer is deposited to a thickness of about 50 nm, and patterned to form a pixel electrode 70 through the photolithograph process using a third mask.
Referring to FIG. 4D, a conductive layer such as Cr, Ta or Ti is deposited to a thickness of about 150 to 300 nm, and patterned to form a data line 51 and a source and a drain electrodes 52 and 53 thorough the photolithography using a fourth mask.
Referring to FIG. 4E, the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched to expose the amorphous silicon layer 30 on the gate electrode 12 using the data line 51 and a source and a drain electrodes 52 and 53 as a mask.
Referring to FIG. 4F, a passivation layer 61 of SiNx is deposited and patterned. The thickness of the passivation layer 61 is in the range from 200 to 400 μm, and the portion of the passivation layer 61 on the pixel electrode 70 is removed, using a fifth mask.
Referring to FIG. 4G, photoresist is deposited to the thickness of about 0.5 to 3 μm and patterned to form a light shielding film 62 on the TFT through the photolithography process, using a sixth mask.
As described above, six masks are required with the exception of a pad, when fabricating the conventional TFT array panel. Furthermore, more than six masks are needed when considering the pad portion. Accordingly, the conventional method has disadvantages in that the fabrication method is complex and the manufacturing cost is high.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to reduce the number of photolithography steps, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and improving the productivity.
After patterning a passivation film and a light shielding film or a passivation film also having a function of the light shielding film in the present invention, the number of mask is reduced by etching a semiconductor layer, using the patterned film as a mask.
This will be explained in detail hereinafter.
A gate line and a gate electrode are formed on a substrate, and a gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer are deposited in sequence. A data line, a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed through a photolithography step, after depositing a metal layer. The passivation film and the light shielding film or a passivation film of opaque material are deposited in sequence and patterned through the photolithography step. Here, the passivation film covers over the data line, the source electrode and a part of the drain electrode. A pixel electrode is formed by depositing transparent conductive material and etching the transparent conductive material through the photolithography step, after etching the semiconductor layer, using the passivation film as the mask.
In the present invention, only four masks are required when fabricating a thin film transistor (TFT) array panel with the exception of a pad. The pattern of the semiconductor layer is the same as the passivation film except a portion under the drain electrode, which is not covered with the passivation film.
To fabricate a panel with four masks including the pad, a step for etching only the gate insulating layer for exposing the pad, should be omitted. For this, it is preferable that the pattern of the gate insulating layer should be the same as the semiconductor layer and the gate insulating layer is patterned, using the semiconductor layer as the mask. For this, the portions that the gate insulating layer should cover, that is, the gate line and the gate electrode are covered with the passivation film and the semiconductor layer, and the passivation film on the pad is etched to expose the pad when etching the passivation film.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, illustrate three embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional liquid crystal display;
FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a conventional TFT array panel used for an LCD;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line III-III in FIG. 2;
FIGS. 4A to 4G are plan views illustrating a manufacturing process of the conventional TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5;
FIGS. 7A to 7G are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;
FIGS. 8A to 8G are cross-sectional views cut along the line VIII-VIII in FIGS. 7A to 7G;
FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line X-X in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XI-XI in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XII-XII in FIG. 9;
FIGS. 13A to 13C are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 9 to 12;
FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14;
FIGS. 17A to 17C are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 14 to 16; and
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a liquid crystal display in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a gate line 11 is formed horizontally on a substrate 100, and a branch vertically extended from the gate line 11, that is, a gate electrode 12, is formed on the substrate 100. The gate line 11 and the gate electrode 12 are covered with a gate insulating layer 20. A semiconductor layer of such as an amorphous silicon layer 30 and a doped semiconductor layer of such as an n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 are formed on the gate insulating layer 20. A data line 51 and a source electrode 52, as well as a drain electrode 53, are formed thereon in the same shape as the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40. Here, the data line 51 is formed vertically, the branch extended horizontally therefrom, the source electrode 52 overlaps a part of the gate electrode 12, and the drain electrode 53 is formed symmetrically with the source electrode 53 for the gate electrode 12. They are all covered with a passivation film 61 and a light shielding film 62 having the same pattern as the passivation film 61, and a part of the drain electrode 53 is exposed outward the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62. Here, the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is the same as the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62 except a portion under the drain electrode 53 exposed outward the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62, and the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 in the portion under the exposed drain electrode 53 is the same as the drain electrode 53. On the other hand, the pixel electrode 70 is formed on the gate insulating layer 20 exposed outward the passivation film 61 pattern, and connected to the exposed drain electrode 53. In addition, the pixel electrode 70 overlaps the gate line 11 via the gate insulating layer 20, and this portion functions as a storage capacitor.
Here, the light shielding film 62 may be formed under the passivation film 61, and the passivation film 61 can be formed on the passivation film 61. In addition, a passivation film also having the function of the light shielding film may be formed, using opaque material of such as a black photoresist instead of forming the passivation film 61 and the light shielding film 62.
Since the amorphous silicon layer 30 is covered with the drain electrode 53 made of the light shielding film 62 or opaque metal, the leakage current in the amorphous silicon layer 30 is reduced. In addition, since the width of the pattern of the light shielding film is wider than that of the data line 51, the source and the drain electrodes 52 and 53, short-circuit between the data line and a common electrode (reference numeral 240 in FIG. 1) of a opposite panel (reference numeral 200 in FIG. 1) hardly occurs.
FIGS. 7A to 7G are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and FIGS. 8A to 8G are cross-sectional views cut along the line VIII-VIII in FIGS. 7A to 7G.
Referring to FIGS. 7A and 8A, conductive material such as Cr, Al and Ta is deposited to a thickness of about 200 to 400 nm on a substrate 100 and patterned to form a gate line 11, a gate electrode 12 through a photolithography step, using a first mask. Here, the conductive material may be formed by a lower layer of Al or an alloy of Al—Nd and an upper layer of Mo, instead of the single layer. In addition, the conductive material may be formed by a lower layer of Cr and an upper layer of the alloy of Al—Nd.
Referring to FIGS. 7B and 8B, an gate insulating layer 20 of such as SiNx and SiO2 is deposited to a thickness of about 300 to 400 nm, and an amorphous silicon layer 30 and an n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 are deposited in sequence thereon. The thickness of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is 200 nm and the thickness of the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is 50 nm.
Next, referring to FIGS. 7C and 8C, a conductive layer of such as Cr, Ta or Ti is deposited to a thickness of about 150 to 300 nm, and patterned to form a data line 51, a source electrode 52 and a drain electrode 53 through the photolithography step, using a second mask.
Referring to FIGS. 7D and 8D, the exposed n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched, using the data line 51, the source electrode 52 and the drain electrode 53 as the mask.
Referring to FIGS. 7E and 8E, the passivation film 61 of such as SiNx is deposited to the thickness of 200 to 400 μm.
Referring to FIGS. 7F and 8F, and photoresist is deposited to a thickness of about 0.5 to 3 μm, and patterned to form the light shielding film 62. And the passivation film 61 is etched, using the light shielding film 62 as the mask. In this process, the data line 51 and the source electrode 52 are covered with the light shielding film 62 and the passivation film 61, and a part of the drain electrode 53 is exposed. Then, the amorphous silicon layer 30 is etched, using the light shielding film 62 and the passivation film 61 and the exposed drain electrode 53 as the mask.
Here, the light shielding film 62 may be formed by a conductive material such as Cr.
Finally, referring to FIGS. 7G and 8G, an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer is deposited to a thickness of about 50 nm, and patterned to form a pixel electrode 70 through the photolithography step, using a fourth mask.
As described above, the effect of the TFT array panel for an LCD in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention lies in that two masks are reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and also increasing productivity by fabricating the TFT array panel using only four masks, compared to the conventional method.
A method for fabricating a panel including a pad using only four masks, and a structure fabricated thereby, are suggested in a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 illustrates also a gate pad and a data pad.
The main difference between the first preferred embodiment and the second preferred embodiment lies in that the gate insulating layer 20 has the same pattern as the amorphous silicon layer 30. Of course, likewise the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 is the same as the passivation film 60 also having the function of the light shielding film except for a portion under the drain electrode 53 exposed outward the passivation film 60 having the light shielding film, and the pattern of the amorphous silicon layer 30 in the portion under the exposed drain electrode 53 is the same as the drain electrode 53.
On the other hand, since the gate insulating layer 20 should cover the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13, the pattern of the passivation film 60, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 is formed on the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13, except on the data line 51 and the source electrode 52, and a part of the drain electrode 53.
In addition, the passivation film 60, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 have contact holes 14 and 15 on the gate pad 13 and a data pad 54 since the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 are electronically connected to the outside and exposed to the outside. Here, a gate ITO pad 71 and a data ITO pad 72 connected respectively to the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 through the contact holes 14 and 15 are formed to prevent oxidization which occurs when the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 are directly exposed to the outside. Besides these, the differences between the first and the second preferred embodiments of the present invention lie in that the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13 are formed in two layers respectively, and one layer of the passivation layer 60 of the black photoresist, also having the function of the light shielding film, is added. These layers may be formed in a single layer or in two layers.
The structure in FIG. 9 will be explained in detail.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line X-X in FIG. 9.
Referring to FIG. 10, the gate line 11 and the gate electrode 12 are made of respectively lower layers 111 and 121 and upper layers 112 and 122. The pattern of the gate insulating layer 20 is the same as the amorphous silicon layer 30. On the other hand, the gate insulating layer 20, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the passivation film 60 cover the gate line 11 of two layers, and a pixel electrode 100 overlaps thereon.
The sections of the gate pad 13 and the data pad 54 will be explained.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XI-XI in FIG. 9.
Referring to FIG. 11, the gate pad 13 is formed by a lower layer 131 and an upper layer 132, and the gate pad 13 is exposed by the contact hole 14 formed on the gate insulating layer 20, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the passivation film 60. In addition, the upper layer 132 of the gate pad 13 is covered with the gate ITO pad 71.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XII-XII in FIG. 9.
Referring to FIG. 12, the gate insulating layer 20, the amorphous silicon layer 30 on the gate insulating layer 20, an n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 on the amorphous silicon layer 30, and the data pad 54 on the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 are formed in the same pattern, and are connected to the ITO pad 72 through the contact hole formed in the passivation film 60 which covers the above pattern.
The above-mentioned TFT array panel in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed primarily in the same way as the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 13A to 13C are plan views illustrating a fabrication process of a TFT array panel shown in FIGS. 9 to 12. The left portions in FIGS. 13A to 13C correspond to the TFT and the gate line in FIG. 10, central portions correspond to the gate pad in FIG. 11, and the right portions correspond to the data pad in FIG. 12.
First, referring to FIG. 13A, two layers of metal are deposited in sequence, and patterned to form the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13, using a first mask. The lower layer and the upper layer may be formed by AL-Nd and Mo, or Cr and Al—Nd. In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower layer and the upper layer is formed by AL-Nd and Mo. Next, the gate insulating layer 20, the amorphous silicon layer 30, the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 and a metal layer 50 are deposited in sequence.
FIG. 13B, the metal layer 50 is patterned to form the data line 51, the source electrode 52, the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54, using a second mask. The n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched, using the patterned data line 51, the source electrode 52, the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54 as the mask. After that, the passivation film 60 is deposited.
Referring to FIG. 13C, the passivation film 60 is patterned, using a third mask. Here, the passivation film 60 covers the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12, the gate pad 13, the data line 51, the source electrode 52, the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54. The contact holes 14 and 55 are formed on central portions of each pad 103 and 114, and an upper portion of a part of the drain electrode 53 is removed. The amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 are etched in sequence, using the patterned passivation film 60 as the mask. Here, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 under the drain electrode 53 are not etched.
Finally, the ITO film is deposited and patterned to form the pixel electrode 70, the gate ITO pad 71 and the data ITO pad 72, using a fourth mask, as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12.
In the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pixel electrode 70 can be defective since the height difference in a portion in which the pixel electrode 70 overlaps the gate line 11, is large, as illustrated in FIG. 10.
A third preferred embodiment of the present invention suggests a structure which can reduce the height difference in the portion in which the pixel electrode 70 overlaps the gate line 11.
FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating a TFT array panel used for an LCD in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XV-XV in FIG. 14.
Referring to FIG. 14, the passivation film 60, which is made of opaque material and also serves as the light shielding function covers even the drain electrode 53 completely. Instead, the passivation film 60 has a contact hole 56 exposing the drain electrode 53, and the pixel electrode 70 contacts the drain electrode 53 through the contact hole 56.
In addition, the structure in FIG. 14 has the effects that storage capacitance is formed through the connection portion and the height difference of the pixel electrode 70 is reduced by forming a connection portion made of the same material as the data line 51, instead that the gate line 11 directly overlaps the pixel electrode 70. That is, referring to FIG. 15, the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 and a connection portion 57 are formed, overlapping the gate line 11 on the amorphous silicon layer 30 formed on the gate line 11. The connection portion 57 is exposed outside the passivation film 60 and connected to the pixel electrode 70. The passivation film 60 in this portion is formed in the same way as the first and the second preferred embodiments of the present invention, the insulating layer 20 and the amorphous silicon layer 30 under the passivation film 60 are formed a little different from the passivation film 60 since the insulating layer 20 and the amorphous silicon layer 30 are formed even under the connection portion 57 exposed outside the passivation film 60. On the other hand, the pixel electrode 70 has the height difference from the upper portion of the connection portion 57 to the substrate 100, and compared to the second preferred embodiment of the present invention, this is the reduced height difference, considering that the passivation film 60 is thicker than the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 and the connection portion 57.
On the other hand, the structure of the data pad 54 in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention is the same as the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the structure of the gate pad 13 is a little different from that in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present. The structure of the gate pad 13 in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained hereinafter.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view cut along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 14.
Referring to FIG. 16, the gate pad 13 are formed by a lower layer 131 and an upper layer 132, but the gate pad 13 is exposed through a contact hole 55 formed in the passivation film 60, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20, and an upper layer 132 of a portion contacting a gate ITO pad 71 is etched. This is why the lower layer 131 is made of Cr and the upper layer 132 is made of alloy of Al—Nd in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The gate ITO pad should cover the Al or the alloy of Al—Nd since Al or the alloy is easy to be oxidized and rust, but the upper layer 132 is etched since the ITO and the Al alloy do not contact each other well and an oxidation film is formed on a surface, whereby resistance becomes large.
Hereinafter, a fabrication process of a TFT array panel in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17C. Here, the left portions in FIGS. 17A to 17C correspond to the TFT and the gate line in FIG. 15, central portions in FIGS. 17A to 17C correspond to the gate pad in FIG. 16, and the right portions in FIGS. 17A to 17C correspond to the data pad in FIG. 12.
First, referring to FIG. 17A, two layers of metal are deposited in sequence, and patterned to form the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12 and the gate pad 13, using a first mask. The lower layer and the upper layer is formed by Cr and Al—Nd. Next, the gate insulating layer 20, the amorphous silicon layer 30, the n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 and a metal layer 50 are deposited in sequence.
FIG. 17B, the metal layer 50 is patterned to form the data line 51, the source electrode 52, the drain electrode 53, the data pad 54 and a connection portion 57, using a second mask. The n+ amorphous silicon layer 40 is etched, using the patterned data line 51, the source electrode 52, the drain electrode 53, the data pad 54, and the connection portion as the mask. After that, the passivation film 60 is deposited.
Referring to FIG. 17C, the passivation film 60 is patterned, using a third mask. Here, the passivation film 60 covers the gate line 11, the gate electrode 12, the gate pad 13, the data line 51, the source electrode 52, the drain electrode 53 and the data pad 54. The contact holes 14, 55 and 56 are formed on central portions of each pad 103 and 114 and the drain electrode 53, and an upper portion of a part of the connection portion 57 is removed. The amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 are etched in sequence, using the patterned passivation film 60 as the mask. Here, the amorphous silicon layer 30 and the gate insulating layer 20 under the connection portion 57 are not etched. Next, the upper portion of the exposed gate pad 13 is etched by the contact hole 14.
Finally, the ITO film is deposited and patterned to form the pixel electrode 70, the gate ITO pad 71 and the data ITO pad 72, using a fourth mask, as illustrated in FIGS. 15, 16 and 12.
On the other hand, there is no need to form the light shielding film additionally on an upper substrate since the passivation film 60 also having the function of the light shielding film covers the border of the pixel and the TFT in the second and the third preferred embodiments of the present invention. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 18, a wiring (not shown), the pixel electrode 70, the TFT and the passivation film also having the function of the light shielding film are formed in a lower substrate 100. The light shielding film is not needed in the other substrate, and only a color filter 220, a common electrode 240, and an overcoat 230 are formed in the other substrate.
As described above, the effect of the present invention lies in that manufacturing cost can be reduced and the productivity is improved since the process is reduced to four steps by patterning the light shielding film and the passivation film, which have the same pattern each other, or the passivation film also having the function of the light shielding film, and etching the amorphous silicon layer using the patterned passivation film and the drain electrode exposed outside the passivation film or the connection portion as the mask.
Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to the skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display, comprising:
a substrate;
a gate line formed on the substrate and extending in a first direction;
a gate electrode coupled to the gate line;
a gate insulating layer covering the gate line and the gate electrode;
a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer;
a doped semiconductor layer on the semiconductor layer;
a data line formed on the doped semiconductor layer, extending in a second direction and intersecting the gate line;
a source electrode coupled to the data line;
a drain electrode facing the source electrode with a gap therebetween on the semiconductor;
a passivation layer covering the data line and the source electrode and a part of the drain electrode; and
a pixel electrode coupled to the drain electrode,
wherein substantially the whole area of the data line is formed on the semiconductor layer and the doped semiconductor layer is formed only below the data line, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
2. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 1, wherein substantially the whole area of the data line has the same dimensions and pattern as the semiconductor layer which is between the gate insulating layer and the data line.
3. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 1, wherein substantially the whole area of the source electrode is formed on the semiconductor layer.
4. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 3, wherein substantially the whole area of the source electrode has the same dimensions and pattern as the semiconductor layer which is between the gate insulating layer and the source electrode.
5. A thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display, comprising:
a substrate;
a gate line formed on the substrate and extending in a first direction;
a gate electrode coupled to the gate line;
a gate insulating layer covering the gate line and the gate electrode;
a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer;
a doped semiconductor layer on the semiconductor layer;
a data line formed on the doped semiconductor layer, extending in a second direction and intersecting the gate line;
a source electrode coupled to the data line;
a drain electrode facing the source electrode with a gap therebetween on the semiconductor layer;
a passivation layer covering the data line and the source electrode and part of the drain electrode; and
a pixel electrode coupled to the drain electrode,
wherein substantially the whole area of the data line is formed on the doped semiconductor layer and the doped semiconductor layer is formed only below the data line, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
6. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 5, wherein substantially the whole area of the data line has the same dimensions and pattern as the doped semiconductor layer which is between the semiconductor layer and the data line.
7. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 5, further comprising a conductive portion between the semiconductor layer and the passivation layer covering the gate line, and wherein a part of the conductive portion extends beyond the passivation layer and is connected to the pixel electrode.
8. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 5, wherein substantially the whole area of the data line has the same dimensions and pattern as the semiconductor layer which is between the gate insulating layer and the data line.
9. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 5, wherein substantially the whole area of the source electrode has the same dimensions and pattern as the semiconductor layer which is between the gate insulating layer and the source electrode.
10. A thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display, comprising:
a substrate;
a gate line formed on the substrate and extending in a first direction;
a gate electrode coupled to the gate line;
a gate insulating layer covering the gate line and the gate electrode;
a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer;
a doped semiconductor layer on the semiconductor layer;
a data line formed on the doped semiconductor layer, extending in a second direction and crossing over the gate line;
a source electrode electrically coupled to the data line;
a drain electrode facing the source electrode with a gap therebetween;
a passivation layer covering the data line and the source electrode and a part of the drain electrode; and
a pixel electrode electrically coupled to the drain electrode,
wherein substantially the whole area of the data line is formed on the semiconductor layer and the doped semiconductor layer is formed only below the data line, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
11. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 10, wherein substantially the whole area of the data line has the same dimensions and pattern as the semiconductor layer which is between the gate insulating layer and the data line.
12. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 10, wherein substantially the whole area of the source electrode is formed on the semiconductor layer.
13. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 12, wherein substantially the whole area of the source electrode has the same dimensions and pattern as the semiconductor layer which is between the gate insulating layer and the source electrode.
14. A thin film transistor array panel of claim 10, further comprising a conductive portion between the semiconductor layer and the passivation layer overlapping a portion of the gate line, and wherein a part of the conductive portion extends beyond the passivation layer and is connected to the pixel electrode.
US11/249,278 1995-12-29 2005-10-14 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof Expired - Fee Related US7623193B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/249,278 US7623193B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2005-10-14 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US12/608,844 US8023057B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2009-10-29 Thin film transistor array panel used for liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
KR1995-66713 1995-12-29
KR19950066713 1995-12-29
US08/777,506 US6043511A (en) 1995-12-29 1996-12-30 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display having patterned data line components
US09/156,525 US6682961B1 (en) 1995-12-29 1998-09-17 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US10/692,033 US6969643B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2003-10-23 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US11/249,278 US7623193B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2005-10-14 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/692,033 Continuation US6969643B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2003-10-23 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/608,844 Continuation US8023057B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2009-10-29 Thin film transistor array panel used for liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20060033102A1 US20060033102A1 (en) 2006-02-16
US7623193B2 true US7623193B2 (en) 2009-11-24

Family

ID=30117521

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/156,525 Expired - Fee Related US6682961B1 (en) 1995-12-29 1998-09-17 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US10/692,033 Expired - Fee Related US6969643B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2003-10-23 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US11/249,278 Expired - Fee Related US7623193B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2005-10-14 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US12/608,844 Expired - Fee Related US8023057B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2009-10-29 Thin film transistor array panel used for liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/156,525 Expired - Fee Related US6682961B1 (en) 1995-12-29 1998-09-17 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US10/692,033 Expired - Fee Related US6969643B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2003-10-23 Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US12/608,844 Expired - Fee Related US8023057B2 (en) 1995-12-29 2009-10-29 Thin film transistor array panel used for liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (4) US6682961B1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080040357A1 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-02-14 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Communication control system, motor vehicle, communication control program, system establishing the communication control system, and external system
US20090283769A1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2009-11-19 Woon-Yong Park Method for manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display and a photolithography method for fabricating thin films
US8976308B2 (en) 2005-12-26 2015-03-10 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
US9917112B2 (en) 2010-09-13 2018-03-13 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
US10170500B2 (en) 2010-09-10 2019-01-01 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Transistor, liquid crystal display device, and manufacturing method thereof

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100303446B1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2002-10-04 삼성전자 주식회사 Manufacturing method of thin film transistor substrate for liquid crystal display device
US6838696B2 (en) * 2000-03-15 2005-01-04 Advanced Display Inc. Liquid crystal display
KR100997964B1 (en) * 2003-06-16 2010-12-02 삼성전자주식회사 Manufacturing method of thin film transistor array panel
US7098091B2 (en) * 2004-02-20 2006-08-29 Au Optronics Corporation Method for fabricating thin film transistors
JP2007065994A (en) * 2005-08-31 2007-03-15 Ricoh Co Ltd Document ocr execution apparatus
TWI332589B (en) * 2006-01-27 2010-11-01 Au Optronics Corp Pixel structure and mehtod for fabricating the same and detecting and repair defect of the same
KR101248003B1 (en) * 2006-05-09 2013-03-27 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 The substrate for LCD and method for fabricating of the same
KR101241129B1 (en) * 2006-06-28 2013-03-08 엘지디스플레이 주식회사 Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
CN101807583B (en) 2009-02-18 2011-07-27 北京京东方光电科技有限公司 TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display) array substrate and manufacture method thereof
JP5242777B2 (en) 2009-04-30 2013-07-24 シャープ株式会社 Method for manufacturing liquid crystal panel, glass substrate for liquid crystal panel and liquid crystal panel provided with the same
US20110006998A1 (en) * 2009-07-10 2011-01-13 Sunggu Kang Patterning of thin film conductive and passivation layers
US8475872B2 (en) * 2009-08-19 2013-07-02 Apple Inc. Patterning of thin film layers
KR102188029B1 (en) * 2013-09-24 2020-12-08 삼성디스플레이 주식회사 Organic light emitting display and manufacturing method thereof
KR20170003674A (en) * 2014-05-27 2017-01-09 가부시키가이샤 한도오따이 에네루기 켄큐쇼 Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
JP6259120B2 (en) * 2014-11-28 2018-01-10 シャープ株式会社 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
WO2021120075A1 (en) * 2019-12-19 2021-06-24 重庆康佳光电技术研究院有限公司 Tft structure, light-emitting member, display device, and preparation method therefor

Citations (30)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS62223727A (en) 1986-03-25 1987-10-01 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid crystal panel
JPS62240936A (en) 1986-04-14 1987-10-21 Seiko Epson Corp Projection type display device
US4759610A (en) 1983-08-23 1988-07-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Active matrix display with capacitive light shield
JPH01102525A (en) 1987-10-16 1989-04-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Thin film transistor array and liquid crystal device using said array
JPH01156725A (en) 1987-12-15 1989-06-20 Seiko Epson Corp Display device
US4857907A (en) * 1986-04-30 1989-08-15 501 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid-crystal display device
US5032531A (en) * 1988-07-08 1991-07-16 Hitachi, Ltd. Method of manufacturing active matrix panel
JPH03280019A (en) 1990-03-29 1991-12-11 Seiko Instr Inc Production of electrooptical device
JPH04318522A (en) 1991-04-17 1992-11-10 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Thin film transistor type liquid crystal display device
US5279980A (en) 1990-02-27 1994-01-18 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a thin-film semiconductor device having an alpha-tantalum first wiring member
US5289016A (en) 1990-04-24 1994-02-22 Nec Corporation Thin film transistor with excellent stability for liquid crystal display
JPH0682830A (en) 1992-08-31 1994-03-25 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Active matrix liquid crystal display device and its production
JPH06202153A (en) 1992-12-28 1994-07-22 Fujitsu Ltd Thin-film transistor matrix device and its production
JPH06208137A (en) 1993-01-13 1994-07-26 Fujitsu Ltd Manufacture of thin film transistor matrix
US5334859A (en) 1991-09-05 1994-08-02 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Thin-film transistor having source and drain electrodes insulated by an anodically oxidized film
US5339181A (en) 1991-09-05 1994-08-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display comprising a storage capacitor including the closed-ended electrode for providing a current bath for circumventing break
JPH06250210A (en) 1993-02-23 1994-09-09 Hitachi Ltd Liquid crystal display device and its production
US5367179A (en) 1990-04-25 1994-11-22 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Thin-film transistor having electrodes made of aluminum, and an active matrix panel using same
JPH0784277A (en) 1993-09-20 1995-03-31 Fujitsu Ltd Liquid crystal display panel substrate
JPH0794747A (en) 1993-09-21 1995-04-07 Sharp Corp Thin film transistor and fabrication thereof
US5508765A (en) 1990-07-25 1996-04-16 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Matrix-addressed type display device
US5610737A (en) 1994-03-07 1997-03-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Thin film transistor with source and drain regions having two semiconductor layers, one being fine crystalline silicon
US5621566A (en) 1992-12-23 1997-04-15 Carl•Zeiss-Stiftung Telescope and a telescope holder
US5621556A (en) 1994-04-28 1997-04-15 Xerox Corporation Method of manufacturing active matrix LCD using five masks
US5648674A (en) 1995-06-07 1997-07-15 Xerox Corporation Array circuitry with conductive lines, contact leads, and storage capacitor electrode all formed in layer that includes highly conductive metal
JPH09236827A (en) 1995-12-29 1997-09-09 Samsung Electron Co Ltd Thin film transistor substrate for liquid crystal display device and its production
US5726007A (en) 1996-09-30 1998-03-10 Eastman Kodak Company Limited dispersity epitaxially sensitized ultrathin tabular grain emulsions
US5737049A (en) * 1995-05-09 1998-04-07 Lg Electronics, Inc. Liquid crystal display device having storage capacitors of increased capacitance and fabrication method therefor
US5818551A (en) 1995-01-06 1998-10-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Thin film transistor-liquid crystal display having patterned amorphous silicon and N+ amorphous layers and a manufacturing method therefor
US5886761A (en) * 1992-01-28 1999-03-23 Hitachi, Ltd. Process for producing actively addressing substrate, and liquid crystal display

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2755376B2 (en) 1994-06-03 1998-05-20 株式会社フロンテック Manufacturing method of electro-optical element

Patent Citations (31)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4759610A (en) 1983-08-23 1988-07-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Active matrix display with capacitive light shield
JPS62223727A (en) 1986-03-25 1987-10-01 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid crystal panel
JPS62240936A (en) 1986-04-14 1987-10-21 Seiko Epson Corp Projection type display device
US4857907A (en) * 1986-04-30 1989-08-15 501 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid-crystal display device
JPH01102525A (en) 1987-10-16 1989-04-20 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Thin film transistor array and liquid crystal device using said array
JPH01156725A (en) 1987-12-15 1989-06-20 Seiko Epson Corp Display device
US5032531A (en) * 1988-07-08 1991-07-16 Hitachi, Ltd. Method of manufacturing active matrix panel
US5279980A (en) 1990-02-27 1994-01-18 Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Method of manufacturing a thin-film semiconductor device having an alpha-tantalum first wiring member
JPH03280019A (en) 1990-03-29 1991-12-11 Seiko Instr Inc Production of electrooptical device
US5289016A (en) 1990-04-24 1994-02-22 Nec Corporation Thin film transistor with excellent stability for liquid crystal display
US5367179A (en) 1990-04-25 1994-11-22 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Thin-film transistor having electrodes made of aluminum, and an active matrix panel using same
US5508765A (en) 1990-07-25 1996-04-16 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Matrix-addressed type display device
JPH04318522A (en) 1991-04-17 1992-11-10 Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd Thin film transistor type liquid crystal display device
US5334859A (en) 1991-09-05 1994-08-02 Casio Computer Co., Ltd. Thin-film transistor having source and drain electrodes insulated by an anodically oxidized film
US5339181A (en) 1991-09-05 1994-08-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display comprising a storage capacitor including the closed-ended electrode for providing a current bath for circumventing break
US5886761A (en) * 1992-01-28 1999-03-23 Hitachi, Ltd. Process for producing actively addressing substrate, and liquid crystal display
JPH0682830A (en) 1992-08-31 1994-03-25 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd Active matrix liquid crystal display device and its production
US5621566A (en) 1992-12-23 1997-04-15 Carl•Zeiss-Stiftung Telescope and a telescope holder
JPH06202153A (en) 1992-12-28 1994-07-22 Fujitsu Ltd Thin-film transistor matrix device and its production
US5483082A (en) 1992-12-28 1996-01-09 Fujitsu Limited Thin film transistor matrix device
JPH06208137A (en) 1993-01-13 1994-07-26 Fujitsu Ltd Manufacture of thin film transistor matrix
JPH06250210A (en) 1993-02-23 1994-09-09 Hitachi Ltd Liquid crystal display device and its production
JPH0784277A (en) 1993-09-20 1995-03-31 Fujitsu Ltd Liquid crystal display panel substrate
JPH0794747A (en) 1993-09-21 1995-04-07 Sharp Corp Thin film transistor and fabrication thereof
US5610737A (en) 1994-03-07 1997-03-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Thin film transistor with source and drain regions having two semiconductor layers, one being fine crystalline silicon
US5621556A (en) 1994-04-28 1997-04-15 Xerox Corporation Method of manufacturing active matrix LCD using five masks
US5818551A (en) 1995-01-06 1998-10-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Thin film transistor-liquid crystal display having patterned amorphous silicon and N+ amorphous layers and a manufacturing method therefor
US5737049A (en) * 1995-05-09 1998-04-07 Lg Electronics, Inc. Liquid crystal display device having storage capacitors of increased capacitance and fabrication method therefor
US5648674A (en) 1995-06-07 1997-07-15 Xerox Corporation Array circuitry with conductive lines, contact leads, and storage capacitor electrode all formed in layer that includes highly conductive metal
JPH09236827A (en) 1995-12-29 1997-09-09 Samsung Electron Co Ltd Thin film transistor substrate for liquid crystal display device and its production
US5726007A (en) 1996-09-30 1998-03-10 Eastman Kodak Company Limited dispersity epitaxially sensitized ultrathin tabular grain emulsions

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Patent Abstracts of Japan, Publication No. 01-102525, Apr. 10, 1989, 1 p.

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20090283769A1 (en) * 1998-11-26 2009-11-19 Woon-Yong Park Method for manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display and a photolithography method for fabricating thin films
US7888677B2 (en) * 1998-11-26 2011-02-15 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method for manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel for a liquid crystal display and a photolithography method for fabricating thin films
US8976308B2 (en) 2005-12-26 2015-03-10 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
US9437623B2 (en) 2005-12-26 2016-09-06 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same
US8055748B2 (en) * 2006-08-10 2011-11-08 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Communication control system, motor vehicle, communication control program, system establishing the communication control system, and external system
US20080040357A1 (en) * 2006-08-10 2008-02-14 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Communication control system, motor vehicle, communication control program, system establishing the communication control system, and external system
US11043509B2 (en) 2010-09-10 2021-06-22 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Transistor, liquid crystal display device, and manufacturing method thereof
US10170500B2 (en) 2010-09-10 2019-01-01 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Transistor, liquid crystal display device, and manufacturing method thereof
US9917112B2 (en) 2010-09-13 2018-03-13 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
US11024655B2 (en) 2010-09-13 2021-06-01 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
US10522572B2 (en) 2010-09-13 2019-12-31 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
US11417688B2 (en) 2010-09-13 2022-08-16 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same
US11682678B2 (en) 2010-09-13 2023-06-20 Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20100105176A1 (en) 2010-04-29
US8023057B2 (en) 2011-09-20
US6969643B2 (en) 2005-11-29
US20060033102A1 (en) 2006-02-16
US20040097020A1 (en) 2004-05-20
US6682961B1 (en) 2004-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7623193B2 (en) Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof
US6043511A (en) Thin film transistor array panel used for a liquid crystal display having patterned data line components
US5933208A (en) Liquid crystal display with color filter and light shielding layer forming a substantially planarized surface over the TFT
US7659130B2 (en) Thin film transistor array panel for display and manufacturing method thereof
US7763483B2 (en) Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
US5926702A (en) Method of fabricating TFT array substrate
US5781254A (en) Active matrix LCD having a non-conductive light shield layer
US6407782B1 (en) Array substrate having color filter for liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same
US5782665A (en) Fabricating array with storage capacitor between cell electrode and dark matrix
US5790222A (en) Thin film transistor array and method of manufacturing thereof
JP2000111958A (en) Preparation of thin film transistor substrate for liquid crystal display device using 4 mask plates and thin film transistor substrate for liquid crystal display device
JP2000164584A (en) Photoetching method for thin film and production of thin film transistor substrate for liquid crystal display employing the method
JP4131297B2 (en) Manufacturing method of liquid crystal display device
US5998230A (en) Method for making liquid crystal display device with reduced mask steps
KR100348995B1 (en) The method for fabricating liquid crystal display using four masks and the liquid crystal display thereof
US6600546B1 (en) Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and the fabrication method of the same
KR20020058270A (en) array panel of liquid crystal display and manufacturing method thereof
US7439088B2 (en) Liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof
US6982771B2 (en) Liquid crystal display and method for fabricating the same
US6734049B2 (en) Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and the fabrication method of the same
KR100192507B1 (en) A structure and fabrication method of tft-lcd
KR100626600B1 (en) array panel for liquid crystal display and fabricating method of the same
KR20020056110A (en) array panel of liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof
KR19980035300A (en) Liquid Crystal Display and Manufacturing Method Thereof
KR100205519B1 (en) Thin film transistor array substrate and fabrication thereof

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
FEPP Fee payment procedure

Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY

AS Assignment

Owner name: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD., KOREA, REPUBLIC OF

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.;REEL/FRAME:029007/0934

Effective date: 20120904

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20131124